KOOTASCA Community Action

09/10/2026

💙 At KOOTASCA, our work is about helping people, strengthening community, and creating meaningful change. We offer the opportunity to give back to the community, paired with competitive wages & benefits, all during weekday daytime hours.

If you’re looking for meaningful work with a team that cares, one of these opportunities could be the perfect fit.

👉 Apply today: https://www.kootasca.org/about/employment/

09/09/2026

Circles of Support: Engage, Grow, Belong
Join us for lunch today from 11:00-1:00

When people feel accepted and valued by their community, family, workplace, or social groups, they are less likely to experience loneliness, depression, and anxiety. This emotional support can help them cope with financial stress.

KOOTASCA hosts weekly programming to help people build social connections and reduce isolation.

Monday Community Meal 4:00-6:00 at 822 NE 5th Ave.
Wednesday Lunch 11:00-1:00 at 822 NE 5th Ave.

KOOTASCA’s advocacy work for older adults is funded in part by Age-Friendly Minnesota.

09/08/2026

Addressing Hunger Together: Strengthening Community Food Security
🗓Date: September 22nd.
⏰Time: 11:00-1:00
🏢Location: KOOTASCA Multi-Purpose room, 822 NE 5th Ave, Grand Rapids
🚗Please park in the front of the building on 5th Avenue and enter the double doors.

Registration: 218-910-5486 or email [email protected]. There is no cost to attend and lunch is provided.

We hope you can join us!

09/07/2026

✨ Offices Closed ✨

In observance of Labor Day, the KOOTASCA offices in Grand Rapids and International Falls will be closed on Monday, September 7th.

We will resume regular business hours on Tuesday, September 8th:
Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

09/06/2026

🍞 Mark your calendars! 🍊

Second Harvest Northland's Mobile Food Pantry Program can help to provide supplemental nutritious food for your household.

For more information, or to find additional food resources in your area, visit https://secondharvestnorthland.org/find-food/

09/04/2026

✨ Partner Appreciation ✨

Thank you to the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota, International Falls Salvation Army, and our local Dollar Tree for donating school supplies for both students who were signed up for United Way's Step Into School program, and the stand alone Learning Tree program! With these partnerships, we were able to pack and distribute school supplies to 174 students in Koochiching County - that's approximately 1 out of every 12 enrolled students.

This is community in action - working together and making an impact. 🫶

09/03/2026

🏫 Head Start Open House is coming up! 🎉

We’re excited to welcome our enrolled Head Start families to Open House! This is a great opportunity to visit the classroom, meet staff, and get ready for a great school year together. ❤️💙

Please note: Open House is for currently enrolled families only.

Not enrolled but interested in learning more about Head Start or Early Head Start? We’d love to hear from you! We still have openings available in our program.

📧 [email protected]
📞 218-999-0814

We can’t wait to welcome our families back and kick off another great year!

09/02/2026

✨ Staff Recognition ✨

KOOTASCA Community Action is proud to recognize our own Nick Hansen, Planning & Development Director, for earning his Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP) certification!

The CCAP credential recognizes leaders who have demonstrated deep knowledge, experience, and commitment to the mission of Community Action. It is one of the highest professional honors in our field, showing excellence in leadership, advocacy, and service to low-income communities.

Congratulations, Nick, on this well-earned achievement! We appreciate your commitment to our mission and the communities we serve.

🎉 Please join us in congratulating Nick! 🎉

Congratulations to Nick Hansen from KOOTASCA Community Action on earning your Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP) certification! The CCAP credential recognizes professionals who have demonstrated leadership, knowledge, and a strong commitment to the Community Action mission. We are proud of your dedication to helping individuals, strengthening families, and building stronger communities. Nick will be recognized at the National Convention in St. Louis this September and at the Minnesota Community Action Annual Conference next April. Congratulations on this well deserved achievement!

09/02/2026

Circles of Support: Engage, Grow, Belong
Join us for lunch today from 11:00-1:00

Welcoming spaces with clear signage, good lighting, accessible design, and respectful staff help people feel secure and comfortable navigating a space and connecting with community members.

KOOTASCA hosts weekly programming to help people build social connections and reduce isolation.

Monday Community Meal 4:00-6:00 at 822 NE 5th Ave.
Wednesday Lunch 11:00-1:00 at 822 NE 5th Ave.

KOOTASCA’s advocacy work for older adults is funded in part by Age-Friendly Minnesota.

09/01/2026

❄ Energy Assistance season will soon be here!

📝 The State of MN has started sending applications to those who were on the program last year and will soon start sending applications to those who have newly requested one.

💻 To apply online, go to
https://energy-assistance.web.commerce.state.mn.us/

🏠 Beginning Oct 1st, If you are a homeowner who is experiencing a heating system related emergency, please call (218) 999-0825 or (888) 249-8879 if afterhours.

Energy Assistance can help:
✅ Pay towards your heating and electric bills
✅ Provide assistance for households experiencing a heating or electric emergency
✅ Provide Energy Related Repair to homeowners with a malfunctioning heating system